What to do and see in Tallinn, Harju County: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

November 25, 2021 Russell Mellin

Tallinn's atmospheric Old Town is an enthralling hodgepodge of medieval streets and spires. It's a small city, and the tourist areas are safe and easily explored on foot. Buy a Tallinn Card if intending to use buses, trolleys or trams. For a look into Tallinn's past, visit Rocca-al-Mare Open Air Museum's typical rural Estonian taverns, windmills and watermills, see the onion-domed 1900 cathedral or join the bustle in historic Town Hall Square. St. Olav's spire was once the tallest in the world.
Restaurants in Tallinn

1. Tallinn Shore Excursions: Old Town Walking Tour

Walks In Europe
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Walk the upper and lower old towns of Tallinn to see its medieval history in a small-group walking tour of max 12 people. Visit churches, fortified city walls and the town square with an expert local guide Visit Dome Church and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. See St. Olav's Church, Parliament House and enjoy stunning views from Toompea Hill All shore excursions start and end at the dock in time for your cruise ship.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Port pick up and drop off, Small group walking tour

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Private vehicle from the dock ( You do not need one. Enjoy a 10 minute walk to the old town)

Reviewed By Vaheteiole

Four hours is a lot of time, so we were able to see both the well known sighs an small alleys with tiny workshops and museums. Definitely a good way to start your trip to Tallinn.

2. Tallinn Winter Bike Tour with Cafe Stop and Market Visit

Vene 33, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia City Bike
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Explore winterly Tallinn with an expert local guide. Learn a lot about Estonian history and culture. Explore seaside of Tallinn, Seaplane Harbor, Patarei Prison, Kalamaja district, Tellisikivi Creative City and Balti Jaam Market visit. Refreshment/warm-up stop will be made during the tour. Market visit is mostly indoors.

Inclusions: Bike (if winter conditions tires with spikes), English speaking guide

Exclusions: Entrance to any sights/museums

Reviewed By NataliaC2927

Great service, easy to access, good bikes will def be coming again. Thank you. Best tallinn bike rental

3. Tallinn Private Walking Tour

Maiasmokk Cafe, Pikk 16, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia Nova Experiences
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Escape the crowd! Whether it’s just you and your significant other, or an extended group of friends, our private tour is specifically designed so that you will get to know Tallinn intimately. Your guide will make sure you get to see all the must-see sights, but also make sure that you get all the local insights and travel tips you need for the rest of your stay. 

Inclusions: Private tour, Local guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By sazmum

Fantastic, informative tour lead by Katarina. She was so friendly and helpful and showed us lots of interesting places around the city. It was brilliant to see Tallinn through the eyes of a local and to benefit from all her insights. There were only two of us on the tour so we had a really personal experience. Highly recommended.

4. Tallinn Old Town Tour combined with Bog Walk

Kullassepa 4, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia Prangli Travel
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

If you want to cover the two main attractions of Tallinn – its romantic Old Town as well as the nature and greenery outside the city; then this day trip from Tallinn is made especially for you. Start the day with a drive outside the city and have a hike in the nature to experience the vast open landscape and unique environment of Estonian bogs. Admire the contrast between the yellowish-golden bog plants and the bog pools that on a sunny day have a perfect reflection of the blue sky and clouds above. Enjoy the surrounding silence and take time out from the rest of the world for a while. Once you have filled your lungs with clean fresh air, get back to Tallinn where the morning rush has calmed down, leaving the streets more empty and easier to walk. Have a guided 1.5 hour Old Town sightseeing tour, covering all the main attractions, and learn about the history of Estonia. Explore the cobbled streets and colourful houses and enjoy the view over the red rooftops from the viewing platforms

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Tour guide/Nature guide

Exclusions: Please bring bottled water with you for the tour., Hiking shoes - please make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes

Reviewed By 251gauthierp

We’ve been able to discover « Ice fishing » with Prangli Travel. It’s a nice activity, in the middle of wild nature, with really nice and interesting guides, a great way to discover Estonia :)

5. Tallinn Old Town tour combined with Jägala Waterfall visit

Kullassepa 4, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia Prangli Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

If you want to cover the two main attractions in Tallinn – its romantic Old Town and the splendid nature outside the city; then this day trip is designed for you. Start the day with a trip to Jägala waterfall to escape the morning crowd visiting Tallinn, and finish with a Old Town walking tour. Start the day with a drive to Jägala waterfall to escape the morning crowd visiting Tallinn. The waterfall is 30 minutes away and located right on the doorstep of Lahemaa national park which is recognised for its natural beauty. Once you have filled your lungs with clean fresh air and enjoyed sound of the gushing waterfall, get back to Tallinn where the morning rush has calmed down, leaving the streets more empty and easier to walk. Have a guided 1.5 hour Old Town sightseeing tour, covering all the main attractions and learn about the history of Estonia. Explore the cobbled streets and enjoy the view over the red rooftops from the viewing platforms.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Tour guide throughout the tour

Exclusions: Bottled water

Reviewed By 251gauthierp

We’ve been able to discover « Ice fishing » with Prangli Travel. It’s a nice activity, in the middle of wild nature, with really nice and interesting guides, a great way to discover Estonia :)

6. Premium haunted Soviet military base underground tour (we donate 100% of income)

Estonian National Opera, Estonia puiestee 4, 10143 Tallinn, Estonia Premium Tour Estonia
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

You are able to see abandoned Soviet military base and hear unique stories of the history. The guide shows you the base parts what are still remaining underground and also on the ground. We are driving to Pirita underground military base. You have a unique chance to explore remains of the military bases, make pictures, hear about the history and ghosts. Also interesting fact about that tour, did you know that the farthest travelers that has been on our underground tour came all the way from the USA and Australia? We donate 100% of the income in 2020 to children with special needs. Together we are stronger, so let`s make the world better place for all of us.

Inclusions: Flashlights, Professional guide, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Private transportation

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Reviewed By maxxxxxx1968

Nice and simple tour. Guide was friendly and he had lot of great stories for us. Car was also okey, not too small. Only weather was not the best :)

7. Private Shore Excursion: Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour with Round-Trip Transfer

Saku Travel - Private Tours
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5.0 based on 39 reviews

Enjoy flexibility and personalized attention from one of our friendly team members, your private guide in Tallinn. It is a private experience, which means you will have a choice of where in Old Town to spend more time and which topics should be covered in depth. Take a creative route that weaves through not-so-touristy places, and stop for refreshments in one of the cafés if you wish so. What to expect? -Your private guide will meet you at Tallinn cruise terminal exit gate at agreed time. -Our driver will take you to Upper Old Town. The drive takes approx 10 minutes. -You will have a 3-hour private walking tour both at Toompea Hill and in the lower Old Town. -The tour concludes at the central Town Hall Square or nearby -1.5 hours of free time will follow. Treat yourself with a glass of wine or beer and take in the atmosphere… -Our driver will meet you at a prearranged location for the drive back to the cruise terminal. The duration of this private experience is 5 hours in total.

Inclusions: pickup from Tallinn cruise terminal exit gate, English-speaking guide services for the 3-hour private walking tour, 1.5 hours of free time in Tallinn Old Town after the tour, private high-quality vehicle for the return transfer , entrance fee to St. Mary's Cathedral, bottle of still water for each participant, drop-off at Tallinn cruise terminal gate

Exclusions: food

Reviewed By Betsy M

We took the private Accessible tour of Tallinn, with Maria & Juri. Both were wonderful! Since we were in a car, we were able to see both the lower town and toompea hill. Maria spoke excellent English, and had a thorough knowledge of Tallinn’s history & sites. Tallinn was a pleasant surprise for me on this cruise. So glad we chose Saku for our tour.

8. 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn

Town Hall square, Raekoja plats, Tallinn, Estonia Discover Estonia
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4.9 based on 18 reviews

This fascinating 2-hour Old Town walking tour starts from the famous Town Hall Square or any other place in Old Town. You will learn the history of Tallinn through interesting stories and feel the medieval atmosphere from a time long past. The tour is done by a professional guide, and the history of the city is presented in an interesting way. The tour is not boring!) You will visit some places outside the route or regular walking tours

Inclusions: Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By jonathanlT72IT

This tour is the most enjoyable day during my whole trip in northern Europe . We are very fortunate to have an extremely knowledgeable and experienced tour guide, Mr Sergi. He told interesting stories and explained a very detailed history of Estonia . A good tour guide does make a difference. I recommend all tourist to book this trip, requesting Mr Sergi as your guide .

9. Day Trip to Lahemaa National Park

Kullassepa 4, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia Prangli Travel
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4.9 based on 33 reviews

Lahemaa National Park, just east of Tallinn, is a place with breathtaking landscapes and unspoilt nature. You can find beautiful peninsulas and bays, forests and beaches, waterfalls and bogs seasoned with rich cultural history. This day trip is perfect for spending a day out of Tallinn. The first stop on the way is Jägala waterfall, after which the tour will visit Sagadi Manor, where you can learn about the legacy of German land-owners living in the Estonian countryside for centuries. You will then visit Altja village which is unique as it represents the architecture of our fishing villages as they were before the estblishment of coastal border zone during the Soviet times. You have time for a walk by the seaside and Altja tavern is open for tasting traditional Estonian farm food. Last thing on the tour is picturesque walk in Viru bog. You will go on the boardwalk leading to observation tower where you can admire how the unique vegetation is contrasting the clear bog pools.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Guide service

Exclusions: You will have a chance to buy lunch during a break at a local restaurant.

Reviewed By 251gauthierp

We’ve been able to discover « Ice fishing » with Prangli Travel. It’s a nice activity, in the middle of wild nature, with really nice and interesting guides, a great way to discover Estonia :)

10. Tallinn Ghost and Legends Walking Tour

Niguliste 2, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia Traveller Tours
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4.9 based on 37 reviews

Join this 1.5 hour walking tour on the haunted streets of the Tallinn Old Town! When the sun goes down, dive into the night and 700 years back in time for the morbid ghost stories and legends and the old myths of this city. Removing the shroud to reveal what lies beneath, this walking tour offers you a very different look on the otherwise peaceful town.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By 873adelaided

Andres was a wonderful guide and knew a lot about Estonian nature, history and culture to share with us. We saw some beautiful nature sights (the Jägala waterfall was fantastic!) and ate a delicious lunch at a traditional Estonian tavern. You should definitely book this tour to see a variety of fun sights outside of Tallinn!!

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